Railway-switch mechanism.



M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.1B, 1913.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEETI.

M4 2 )H I I II I W 2% WWW atkozwui MRLQSLHEELLE-3R1;-

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

AIPLIGATION FILED IEB.18, 1913.

. Patented Aug". 12, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7 E'wuewlfoz WarsimZLL. fi lzepizerd I J I L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION, FILED FEB 18, 1913.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

7 SHEETSSHBET 3.

i I J U l MW WWW Marshall Z. ,5 i2e79herd a a... Am mm M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB,18, 1913'.

1,070,297, I Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

7 SHEETSSHEET 4.

M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

wi/twwooczo Mil "1 0i M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.18, 1913.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

mfmyw as c M. L. SHEPHERD.

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.18, 1913.

1,070,297, Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

SMAMM ttOi mechanism confir iErUMEEY, JKLABAEVIA, .ASSIGITQE TC; 11 3., 1)? MONTGDIIZERY, ALABAIVLA.

1% h rig is 2. S sa- T invention relates he rolling stock from s. 11 track track or siding, 2.2151 vice verso.

The primary objectof the invention is to provide a positive and reliable type of switch mechanism adapted to he automatically operated by the rolling stock and locked and. gusrrcchin normal or switch closing position, againstsnrrepiiiions or sccicle'nlal adjustment.

-f the inveniion is to ?.3 l 1 occrsiecl by ihe rel.-

cr ihe r11 or branch he o'c-en swim and lock the rails in normal or closed pcsiiion so as to obviate the liability oi? acciclents to following trains, while permitting tlirougli trains on the main line to travel over the switch point at high speed without liability of derangement of the switch niechanisnn A still fillfiiml ob iect of the invention is to provici a witch mechanism which cannot he left. open, which obviates the Well known oojec iions to swiiches of the kind in common iisc, which is operable automatically means under control of lzhe driver or engincer of :1. car or locomotive and may also be operated in an authorized manner by hand when occasion requires and in.con

'jUllCilOIl with a suitable switch stand and signal snd which oil'orrls 21 maximum safeguard against. accidents to (he traveling public.

A still further object of the inwntion is to provide a hancl switch throwing; mecha nism which, afrsr'actuation. will he autolsn which is scla otto and loc fog all i.

employee. filler object is; the invention is e switch mechanism which 11ermils sets-scion of the switch point through any of the s *itch throwing agencies mentioned Without intcrier nce from the others. and in which provision is made for control ling a" single switch locking device by and from any of thcswitch throwing devices.

still further object of the invention is to provide a switch mechanism which Will adjust itself to, or compensate for any loose play of the parts which may occur from Wear or any slight variation from the normal in the distance between the track rails 1 .13 to spreading or to contraction and expansion of the parts.

Vv'irh these and other objects in view, the invenrion consisi's of the features of con.- struction, combination and srrsngemcnt of psris. hereinafter fully described and clairccrl, reference being had ro the accomps-nying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan view oi": the rails snri siviich mechanism a s. itch poi t, showing the switch rails lccltccl in normal posi ion for travel on the main line. 2 is 9. similar view of ihe svitch mechanism on an enlarged scale anal with the cover plate removed and parts appearing in section. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2' showing the switch thrown open for travel between the main and branch lines. Fig. l is a vertical transverse section on line l: l of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a. vertical transverse section on line of Fig. Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail plan views showing the action in releasing ihecswitch locking device from the main and branch line automatic switch throwing devices and the manual switch throwing device, respectively. Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a vertical transverse section on the line 10--l0.of Fig. 1. Figs. 11 and 12 are detail views illustrating 'rlie action of the lock releasing device in the main line. Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section through the main line switch throwing cicvice. Fig. El i-is a verticsltmnsvcrss section of -the samegshowing also the actssung device carried sytne locomotive. Fig.

lbb

' 15 is a sectional plan view of the switch lock releasing means controlled by the hand switch. Fig. 16 is a perspectlve view of the switch locking device. Fig. 17 is a similar view of the bell-crank trip lever forming partof the lock releasing means in the main line. Fig. 18 is a view of the locking means forholding the hand switch lever closed. Fig. 19 is a detail view showing a modified form of connection between the switch bar and the rock shaft of the main line switch throwing mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2 designate the main line rails, 3 and 4 thebranch line or siding rails, and 5 and 6 the switch rails, constituting the switch point, which switch rails are coupled for movement. in unison by the switch bar 7, and may also be connected in practice by suitable tie rods in the usual manner. J

Arranged between the tracks of the main line, in the main line approach to the switch, is a casing 8 bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the ties and having at one side a longitudinal slot 9. In this casing is revolubly mounted a switch throwing member 10 comprising a drum or rollenprovided with .a spiral groove-l1, having reversely extending end portions '12 and '13' and a substantially straight intermediate portion 14. The spiral groove is adapted to receive a friction roller upon the laterally bent lower end of a switch actuating or trip device 16 suitably mounted in practice upon a car or locomotive and adapted to be projected and retracted by suitable operating means. The laterally bent end of the actuating device 16 is also provided with a fric tion roller 17 to travel in the slot 9, and arranged parallel with the slotted side of the casing is a guard plate 18 forming a guide- Way for the travel of the actuating device and acting to prevent the introduction of a tool in an attempt to tamper with the drum or throw the switch. Hence the drum can only be turned by a proper type of actuating device under the power of the locomotive or car on which it is mounted.

The parts of the switch throwing device in the main line, above described, are and may be substantially the same as disclosed in my prior application #651738 filedSeptember 28, 1911.

Projecting forwardly from the drum is a shaft 19 journaled in one or more suitable bearings 20 and carrying adjustable collars 21 and 22, each secured thereto by a set, screw 23. The collar 21 is provided with a crank arm 24 to which is pivotally connected a latch releasing dog or member 25, comprising a bar having a beveled end portion 26 formed with a trip shoulder 27 and a guide shoulder 28. The dog and parts of the latch mechanism hereinafter described are mounted upon a suitable base 29, on

which the dog is free to slide and have tilting motion, and fixed to this base is a guide and trip block 30 cut away to provide a guide slot 31, a beveled end 32 and a slot 33 communicating with the top of the slot 31 and opening'through said beveled end Extending into the slot 31 is one end 34 of a bell crank latch releasing lever 35 having at its opposite end a finger 36 slidably and pivotally engaging a notch 37 in one end of a pivoted latch or locking device 38, which end of said latch or locking device is pr0- vidcd with a locking finger 39 for engagement with either one of a pair of locking recesses or notches 40 and 41 in the switch bar 7, for respectively locking the switch point in closed and open positions. In the travel of the friction roller 13 along the proximal portion 12 of the spiral groove 11 in the drum 10, the rock shaft 9 is turned in switch throwing direction, and during the first portion of such travelthe dog 25 is moved toward the block 30 and its shoulder 27 engages the end 34 of the lever 35 and forces the same back into the slot 31, there by swinging said lever 37 and causing its 1 finger 36 to swing and retract the locking device v38, whose finger 39 is withdrawn from the recess 40, allowing the switch bar to be.

moved in the final travel of the roller 13 along the portion 12 of the spiral groove to throw the switch point to open position. As the end 34 of the lever 35 recedes in the slot 31,the guide portion 28 of the dog 25 enters the slot 33 and the beveled end 26 of the dog engages and rides up over the beveled surface 32 of the trip block 30, as shown in Fig. 12, whereby the dog is lifted out of the path of the lock releasing lever. The collar 22 of the shaft 19 carries a depending crank arm 42 provided with a pin 43 movable in a slot 44 in a link bar 45 pivoted to one end of a switch throw bar 46 extending outwardly at one end beneath the rails 3 and 5 and suitably fastened to-the rail 5 to actuate the switch point. The pin and slot-ted link forms a lost motion connection between the shaft 19 and throw bar 46, whereby the rock shaft is adapted to turn to a preliminary degree to effect the retraction of the locking device before imparting positive motion to the throw bar 46 and shifting the switch to open position. The locking device 38 has an arm 47 carrying a hollow boss 48 in which is inclo-sed a coiled spring 49 acting on a stud 50 slidably. mounted in the boss and engaging a suitable fixed abutment 51, said spring acting to normally throw the locking device into locking position, whereby when the switch bar 7 is released and the switch is thrown, the finger 39 of the locking device will snap into. the recess 41 and thereby lock the switch in open position for travel of the rolling stock between the main and branch lines. When the roller 13 of the 1,676,297 actuating device 16 reaches the straight into releasing position. i l hen the guard rail terinedialc portion i l of the spiral slot in is pressed away from the All i. and rocks the drain lo a nn'uncntary pause in the tnothe rod the pin or; engages and releases tion of the drum, which has been fully the latch in'thenianner described prior to thrown to switch opening position, takes the engagementof the pin with the yoke 70 place, whereby the locking device is per- 66. it will thu be understood that when mitted to more into the recess ll while-tho the switch is thrown open for the travel of bar 7 maintains an absolutely stationary a vehicle from the main line to the branch position, otter which the roller 15 traverses line the wheels of the vehicle will engage m the distal portion 13 of too spiral groove and move the guard railto cause the latch 75 in the switch throwing device and re to be released, the switch being held open turns said switch throwing device and the until the vehicle fully enters the branch line rock shaft 19 and its parts to normal posiand releases the g 1rd rail, the spring tion, time resetting the switch throwing 53 and springs 56 will return the switch mechanism in t e main line "for subsequent point and go. rd rail tonorn1al position, 86 action. thereby again closing the switch for trave Arranged along theinner side of the branch on the main line, in which closed position rail 3 in proximity to the switch point is a the switch is automatically locked in the laterally niovable guard rail. 52, acting also manner hereinbcfore described. the 20 as a switch throwingand latch controlling travel of a vehicle from the branch to device. This rail is adapted to be moved the main line, the switch point is automatiaway from the rail 3 by the flanges of the cally thrown to open posit-ion and wheels of the rolling stocln The switch tained in such position by the wheels ot the point is adapted to be always, except when vehicle ur such vehicle has fully ente ed ,5 positively thrown and locked in open posi the main l 7 when the switch point- -l 9G tion moved to closed position by a coiled again be automatically.closed. In this operactuatinp; spring i'uclosed in a suitable ation it will be understood the inovecasing slidably receiving a stud on the ment of the guard rail first re eases the la ch switch rail 5; while the guard rail is through the medium, of the pin and then 0 normally held in contact with the all 3 by effects the throw of the switch through the suitably incased retracting" springs 56. Ex; engagement of the sin with the oke (3%, tending longitudinally of the track at the whereby switch opening movement trans switchpoint is an oscillatory rod 57 jourinitted to the throw bar. When the guard nalcd in suitable bearings 58 and provided rail is released the r racting springs return 35 with crank arms coupled to the guard the parts to normal position as hereinbefore 190 rail by connecting rods 60, whereby when fully described it will be observed that the rail 52 is moved inwardly by the flange when the switch is thrown open from the of a wheel the rod 5'? will. be rocked in a main line it locked in open position and direction toward said guard rail. Adjustafterward released by the action of the no ably secured to said rod by set screws 6-1 are guard rail, whereas in the throwing the 1 collars (32 and (53, respectively carrying an switch to open posit-ion iron: the branch line actuating pin or arm 6% and a trip pin or the switch is held open and the latch held arm 35. 'lfhe arm 64 is movable in a slotted retracted by the guard rail until said rail yoke 86 lined to the rail 5 or throw bar 4-6 is released whereupon the switch is auto gas and normally out of engagement with the niatically closed and locked in closed posi- 11g inner end or" the yoke, thus forming a lost t-ion. motion switch throwing and retaining 0011- in order to permit he switch point to be nection between the switch point and guard manually operated, I provide an operating rail whereby independent motion of the bar means comprising a hand lever 58 tulcruined 50 46 under the action of the switch throwing on a rod 69 and provided with a crank arm device in the main line is permitted without F0. The said arm 70 is provided with a trip interference from the said switch throwing pin 71 and is connected by a link. '52 with it and retaining means in the branch lino; the slidingand laterally movable trip bar ?3 lost motion connection 42 and 4-5 between extending through a guide 74. The inner 55'the throw bar &6 and crank shaft 19 simiend of this bar 73 isjorovided with a contact larly permitting actuation of said throw bar pin or com 7 5 normally spaced from antlerfrom the guard rail. or switch throwing deranged in juxtaposition to a cam lug 76v-on vice in the branchline "ithout interference the adjacentend or" the latch 88' Thebar -\from the switch throwing mechanism in the 73 is normally held rigidly pressed by a c main line. spring 77 against a wall or" the guide '5 The pin 65 is arranged at an anglein a'dagainst lateral movement during the forvance ot' the pin 6% in the direction of actuward motion of the bar, whereby in such ating or controlling motion of the-rod .57, Y motion of the bar the cam projection 75 will and is-adapted to engage an inclined or cam engage and slide over the inclined face 78 n6 surface 67 on th latch 38 to trip said latch 2 of -the latch''and tilt the latch to retracted position. When ,the cam 75 passes beyond the inclined face 78 it releases the cam 76 and moves into engagement with the curved face 79 of said cam 76, over which said cam 75 rides in the backward movement of the bar. In such backward travel of the bar, thebar is permitted to yield laterally by the spring 77 so that it will clear the lug 7 6 and return to normal position without interfer-- ence from or injury to the latch. Connected with theswitch rail 5 or bar 7 is a throw bar 80 provided with a pin or projection 81 which lies normally in advance of the pin and in such position that the bar 73 in its travel will engage and retract the latch prior to the engagement of the pin 71 with the pin 81, through which the switch is thrown to. open position by means of the hand levern In other words, the distance between the parts 75 and 76 is less than the distance be tween the parts 71 and- 81 so that in the operation of the hand switch lever the latch will first be retracted and the switch then thrown, the switch being locked in thrown position in the manner before described.

The lever 68 is so weighted that when it is released by the switchman after the switch is thrown it will drop back automatically by 2 left in latch releasing position through negli-gen'ce will be avoided. It will be observed that the parts 71 and 81 provide a lost motion connection between the hand switch lever and the bar 80 by which movement of said bar with theswitch point is permitted for the independent throw ofthe switch by either of the automatic switch throwing devices and for the return of the switch to closed position without interference. The

'lever 68 is provided with a suitable locking device 82 adapted to automatically inter lock with a stationary keeper 83 when the lever drops by gravity vtonormal position, thus insuring the positive and certain looking oi": said lever against surreptitiouslop'ei' ation, it being understood that the lock may only be opened to free the lever for use by means or a' prescribed typezbtt key. A switch stand 84 of any suitable type may be arranged in proximity to the switch point and I provided with any preferred type of signal target 85'" operated through a suitable con;

nection 86 with th'ethrow bar 456' It will be seenfrom theaters oing @5 scription that the invention provi es since ple, rel able .and etficient type out uWit Jh-b mechanism in which the switch point is positively locked in open and closed position against liability of shifting, thus affording a safeguard against its accidental or malicious operation. It willalso be seen that it provides a switch mechanism which is adapted to be positively and; reliably operated by the rolling stock from either the main orthe branch line, and also operated manually when occasion requires in an absolutely safe manner. It will further be seen that simplicity is secured by the use .of a single locking mechanism for holding the switch point both open and closed, and by the provision of lost motion connections whereby the switch point may be independently operated and controlled by the respective sets of'switch throwing devices. An important advantage is securedin the double use of the rail 52 as-a guard rail and switch throwing and controlling device,-as

by means of this rail and the devices operated thereby a safe passage of the rolling stock over the switch in traveling from the main to the branch line, and vice versa, is

afforded, while through the pressure of the flanges of the wheels of the rolling stock thereon the switch point is positively held open until it is cleared by all of the wheels, thus avoiding any liability of the premature closing'of the switch.

In practice the latch device and related parts are preferably provided with a suitable cover or housing 87 to prevent them from being tampered with or lnjured by extraneous objects, as-well as to prevent exposuge thereof to the action of the elements. The bar 7 is also preferably coupled to the rail 6 by an elastic connection normally exert- 7 ing pressure on the rail 6 to force it toward the rail 2 so that it will take up or compensate for any variation between the distance between the tracks caused by spreading or looseness of the connections from wear. This elastic connection is shown in the present instance in the form of a plunger or piston member 88 movable in a cylinder or casing 89 within which is arranged a coiled spring 90 normally maintained compressed or under tension to provide for the desired compensating or take-up action. If desired, the collar 22,: instead of being fix'ed to the shaft 19, may be loosely mounted thereon and coupled by a coiled spring 91 with a fixed collar 92, as shown in Fig. 19, adjustably secured to the shaft by a set screw 93, whereby the spring may be tensioned'to any desired degree. This spring forms a yielding connection between the shaft and the collar 22 which will allow the switch. point when, conditions are normal, but will prevent liability of damage to the switch in the event that the switch point-should accidentally or nalishaft to turn and transmit motionto the nd means aciua'ted by said cionsly become choked or held from move- 2 rock shaft, a ment 1n any shaft for engaging 1115i retracting the 100% i mannrmg dsvlce mire the LES'Y-HHOUOH connectlon 1. a. railway which zrechanism, a self- 13 rendered mania e rnd for holding the 5 ciosmg 5W1? pom, seliprogec ted 102w lodzme: dance whale 521d second 1 iecking the switch point in named swish-throwing am; lacking canopen and 210596.- posltzons, a tram-spasms iroilmg dev ca 1k, 1n thrown pesl'tion.

swichihrowing and 106k comzoiiing devise In a, miiway neclmni zm a selfin "h main li'le said device bein autonmiswiich woizlt. 1 sel proiected sminp' w 1 a 1 i 1 1 I L 19 away tinrown and returned to normai p0s1- in? gaming the 5 12-1911 by assmg tram inst-112012101: lack f; and closed "G'OSIUOLS H K 1 coltrolhng means acmaicd 0n ihe fl st s utCh-QHFDYVTlg an 1 2001:

01 the sWitch-thrnmng motion sari switchthe. unlnckfid tram-c011- 3;) acti-cms, ans

firowing 1 0115, in thrown p05 J v "evice 5115i and 1 In a Ti way swii'ch mechnian 7 emenil closing svn'zcL point self-majectd 4Q actuated i ocking device for 10-21 1? k switch point in open :md ciaeaed pss train-opemt 5i switc il-throwing an controlling lu-ice in the main line, was being :11

45 u immal posit:

U while said second named switch-throwing and lock controlling device is in thrown position.

5. In a railway switch mechanism, a selfclosing switch point, a self-projected, spring actuated locking device for locking the switch point in open and closed positions, a train-operated switch-throwing and lock controlling device in the main line, said device being automatically thrown and rethrown position. a

turned to normal position by a passing train and including a rock shaft, lost-motion lock controlling means actuated on the first half of the switch-throwing motion of said switch-throwing device to retract the locking device and free it for a secondary locking action, a lost-motion connection between said rock shaft and the switch point operative on the final portion of the switchthrowing motion of said rock shaft to throw the unlocked switch point to open position, a train-controlled, spring actuated switchthrowing and lock controlling device in the branch line comprising a wheel-actuated guard rail, a rock shaft actuated by the said guard rail, a lost-motion connection between said shaft and the switch point co acting with the first named lost-motion connection to permit the said switch-throwing and lock controlling devices to have independent switch-throwing and lock controlling ac tions, a projection carried by the locking device and having a cam surface, and a projection upon the second-named rock shaft for engagement with the said cam surface before the associated lost-motion connection is rendered effective for retracting the locking device and for holding said locking device retracted while said guardrail is in 6. In a railway switch mechanism, a selfclosing switch point, a self-projected look ing device for lockin the switch point in open and closed'positlons, a train-operated switch-throwing and lock controlling device vice and free-it for a seconda in the main line, said device being automatically thrown and returned to normal posi-' tion by a passing train, lost-motion lock c011 trolling means actuated on'the first half of the switch-throwing motion oi said switchthrowing device to retract the locking delo'cking action, a lost-motion connection etween said switch-throwing device and the switch point 0 erativeonthe final portion of the switch t rowing motionof said switch-throwing device to r 1,070,:ie7

throw the unlocked switch point to open position, a traincontrolled, spring retracted switch-throwingand lock control-' ling device in the branch line, a lost-motion connection between the same and the switch point co-acting with the first named lostmotion connection to permit the said switchthrowing. and lock controlling devices to have independent switch-throwing and lock controlling actions, means associated with said latter named lostmotion connection for engaging and retracting the locking device before the-lost-mot-ion connection is rendered effective and for holding the locking device retracted while said second named switchthrowing and lock controlling device is in thrown position, a hand-operated switchthrowing device having a lost-motion connection with the switch point, and means operated thereby for releasing the locking device prior to the taking up of the lostmotion, holding the locking device retracted while the switch point is thrown and then releasing the locking device to permit it to lock the switch point in thrown position.

i 7 In a railway switch mechanism, a selfclosing switch point, a self-projected looking device for automatically locking the switch point in open and closed positions, a-

train-operated and retracted switch-throwstock from the main to the branch line to retract the lock and release the switch for subsequent closing movement while holding it from closing until the rolling stock passes, into the branch line, said means being ,operative in the passage of rolling stock from the branch'line to the main line to first retract the locking device and then .t-h'row the 4-98. In a railway switch, a selt cl'osingswitch point,- a plurality of devices for throwing said switch point, a' single selfprojected lock com monlyand directly controlled by said switch-throwing devices, for loeldng the switch point in closed and opened positions, and means for permitting inde f pendentcontrpl of the locking device and int my web f swim (251 1115011 the actuation of saifi rleasing memoer f0? g miac b wlth the gbnfimentsurface 0' the @OgfltO (kfiect 531d dog upwar-flly out swiivh of the controlling arm of the throwing re easing mbex'. 7Q prcqecteci 14. In a railway swltch, an automahcally clesu'xg switrsh 901m, a swltcn bar connected them ith, privates? spring" projected latch f0; iocmng said switch. 021' in switch spenm switm-iirs ing aa d Closing posifiens, a pivoted :r'eleszepen lent c0 "01 ing lever having a retracting arm engaging ac'tlfaioh of ihe latch and a c-antl'ofling arm a trip memsaid sWitch-thrmw be; fa ming a gu'fl for said contrslling and having a guide slot and an abut 1 surf-me, a s\\'1' -h fln -0W1ng devxce m 59 ciucnn r001; snuff. a crank arm cai'ried .2 n -111 by Sam shark. and :1 510a pzveted to siud a msk-reieasmg walk arm %0 shde-rlorlzointah i and tilt device. an :z'c'iu- 9 1V @216. having a nertmn mm A "v H I 9%; or actuatdd ed with a shoulder tn engage the gnufius g 1 r'elaasslot 1n the in) mar be; and the centrolhng the vatv'h rglensing member to ac- '-e the latter, and m abutment surrace' in a afiwafv switch an nufomnticaliy switch paint, an automzizc k for "la swzch point in open and (1056-3 9 '11s a swiich bar connected wiin Hm vein; a switch throwing dm'ige in- .l n: h g; :1 p -e1i2x1n:1r on means ac tnaied by The r? shaft '0 release m in. or a seconiar z locking; acfien. a 0st-mnfon throw connection between We rock shaft am} switvh oer operable on i .-c10"in final motion of the shaf 2111 avfcozmticany wzraci' 1: Wheal opemfecz 10 guard mil, a rock shaft actuated by smi guardyafl and 112W; :(1

H1 rowing 7 L mm. with the ahltmentmrface 0*; the mp member to nit sa'ci 99 upwardly Out of H10 pail"; 01 the reieasus, said lockmg arms 021:: (if "21 pair of cum par'im-we u -vice including a rmk moiim: crmmckit 19; F g zm r-hzn' at A said it. 81155 hiking device 3'3 retract said locking device to unlock the switch and release said locking device to lock the thrown switch, a second switch throwing device having a. lost-motion connection with the switch point and provided with a projection to engage one of said cam surfaces on the locking device to first retract and then release the locking device, and athird switch throwing device having a lost motion connection with the switch point and provided with a projection to engage the second cam surface of the locking device to preliminarily retract and release the locking device, each switch throwing device and co-acting lock controlling means being operable independently of the others.

17. In a railway switch, an automatically closing switch point, a spring projected locking device for locking the same in open and closed positions, said locking device having a cam provided with opposite cam surfaces, a switch throwing device, a longitudinally and laterally movable member operated thereby, said member having a projection tosuccessively engage the cam surfaces of said projection and normally lying in a plane for engagement with one of said cam surfaces, a spring controlling said member and adapted to permit lateral motion thereof, and a connection between the switch throwing device and switch for throwing the switch upon the release of the locking device.

18. In a railway switch, an automatically closing switch point, a spring projected locking device for locking the same in open and closed posit-ions, a switch throwing device, a member operated on the first portion of movement of the switch throwing device to engage and retract the locking device and then to release the locking device, a bar connected with the switch point and having a projection, and a projection upon the switch :1 throwing device operated on its final pew-F riod of movement to engage the first named projection and throw the switch.

19. in a railway switch, a self-closing, spring retracted switch point, a spring-projected lecithin; device for locking the same in open and closed positions, a switch throw ing and lock iidntrolling device in the main line operative to retract the lockin means and throw the switch and release the locking means to adapt the same to lock the opened switch, a switch throwing and lock controlling device in the-branch line operativc on the passage of a train from the main line to the branch line to retract the lock- -.ing means and hold the switch open and finally to free the switch for closing motion, and operative on the passage of a train from the branch line to the main. line to retract the locking means, throw the switch and hold it open and the locking means retracted and finally to release the switch and locking means for automatic switch closing and vice in a direction to trip the latch and automatically movable back to normal position to adjust said device for the releasing action, lost-motion means actuated by the lever in its first-named movement to throw the switch point after the retraction of .the locking device and on the secondnamed movement of the lever to release theswitch point for closing movement on the release of the locking device, and means for automatically locking said lever against movement on its return to normal position.

. 21. Ina railway switch, an automatically closing switch point, a spring controlled expansion bar connecting the rails thereof, a .lock device for engagement with said bar to hold the switch in open, and closed positions, and means for successively releasing the lock and throwing the switch.

In testimony whereof I allix my signatiire in presence of two witnesses.

MARSHALL L. SHEPHERD. Witnesses:

C. C. Hines,

BURNETT S. JoNEs.

v v Gcplea of this patent may he ehtainerl for five cents each, b3? addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

1 Washington, D. (3. 

